Container with locking cover



May 19, 1970 R. K. W|LSON 3,51 ,69

CONTAINER WITH LOCKING COVER Filed May 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY y 9, 1970 R. K. WILSON 3,512,699

CONTAINER WITH LOCKING COVER Filed May 15, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR.

Pa] in. M75072 May 19, 1970 K. IL N 3,512,699

CONTAINER WITH LOCKING COVER 7 Filed May 15, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.6

FIG] FIG.8 9

71 67 13 4 3 12 112 "J CZYIJE$ h 214+ 154 I Z 206 212 3a In F"! I' Z2"4.4 if JQIHI I C23 if I 26 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,512,699CONTAINER WITH LOCKING COVER Roy K. Wilson, Tampa, Fla, assignor, bymesne assignments, to Allied Container Corporation, Tampa, Fla., acorporation of Florida Filed May 15, 1968, Ser. No. 729,220 Int. Cl.B65d 5/02, /00

US. Cl 22945 20 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A box having a bodyportion, a bottom, and upstanding generally opposed side walls includinga pair of body flaps having first portions respectively attached to apair of opposed side walls by fold lines adjacent the upper edgesthereof and lying in a generally horizontal plane extending inwardly ofthe box perimeter. Each of the body flaps includes a re-entrant portionfolded on a score line spaced from and generally parallel to the wallupper edge and respectively underlying the first portions of the bodyflaps and extending outwardly from the score line to a position adjacentthe inner surface of the pair of opposed side walls. The pair of opposedside walls are further provided with a slot positioned closely adjacenttheir upper edge and each re-entrant portion of the body flaps includesa locking tab. The locking tabs are positioned in respective slots inthe pair of opposed side walls and extend therethrough outwardly beyondthe side walls, these tabs are adapted and arranged to be engaged byportions of a cover closing the body portion thereby locking the coverthereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This inventionrelates to a novel and improved construction for boxes and isparticularly adapted for use in connection with boxes for transportingfruit and vegetables. More particularly this invention is directed tonovel and improved means for closing and locking such a box and forimpeding and detecting unauthorized opening of such a box or container.

Corrugated or kraft board is commonly employed in the construction ofboxes, and the blanks therefor, for use in the transportation or storageof produce and the like. Such fiberboard typically comprises a pair ofspaced apart, parallel, flat liner sheets between which is engaged andadhesively secured a corrugating medium which imparts strength to theoverall constructionqsuch. a construction of fiberboard is commonlyreferred to in the trade as single wall corrugated board. While thepresent invention is particularly adapted to boxes constructed of singlewall corrugated board, it will be understood by, as well as apparent to,those skilled in the art that double wall corrugated board or othersuitable material may be used in the construction of a box or containerincorporating this invention.

In boxes of the type described, it is a known method of fabrication tocut and stamp a flat piece of corrugated board to provide a box blank.The finished blank includes score or fold lines and incized or cutportions defining, at least the walls or side and end panels of the mainbody of the box. The blank is usually shipped flat to the packing plant,where it is then erected for use by folding along the fold lines andsecuring portion of the blank in a suitable manner to provide the bodyof the box, which might by way of example be hollow and rectangular inshape. The box body, after such erection or sitting up may comprise arectangular tube open at both its top and bottom. In other cases theblank may be fabricated so that the set up box body is provided withintegral and connected flaps "ice which may be folded and secured suchas to close one or both of the top and bottom of the box. This inventionis concerned with boxes of the type or construction wherein a separateclosure member or cover is provided for closing the top of the box body.

Where a separate closure member is provided for the top of the box bodyit is desirable to provide means to connect the top closure member orcover to the body in a secure manner so as to prevent or impedeaccidental opening of the box and spilling of the contents. However, incertain instances it is also desirable that there be provided means fordetermining unauthorized opening of the box or pilfering of itscontents.

Description of the prior art There have in the past been many boxes andbox arrangements provided with tops or cover portions which are securedor locked to the box body portion, and in which locking tabs have beenprovided on the box body portion for locking the cover portion thereto.One such piror art box arrangement is generally disclosed in US. Pat.No. 3,195,798. Applicants invention herein disclosed is an improvementover such prior art boxes and box arrangements, as shown for example, inthe above-mentioned patent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a box of the general class described having aseparate closure member for the top of the box body, and novel andimproved means for securing the closure member to the box body so as notonly to prevent unintentional or accidental opening of the box but alsoto provide means for detecting if there has been any unauthorizedopening of the box.

A further object of this invention is to provide locking tabs for a boxcover which will automatically engage the cover as the same is placed inposition on the box body thereby to provide quick and secure closure ofthe box.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a box having acover in which it is difiicult to remove the cover once it has beenplaced in position on the box.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a box in which thelocking means for the cover thereof are formed from the fiberboardmaterial forming the box and its cover.

These objects are in general attained by providing a box having a bodyportion, a bottom, and generally opposed and upstanding outer side wallsincluding a pair of body flaps respectively attached to a pair ofopposed side walls by fold lines adjacent their upper edges. The pair ofbody flaps lie in a generally horizontal plane and extend inwardly ofthe box perimeter and each includes a locking tab. Each of a pair ofouter side walls is provided with a slot positioned closely adjacent itsupper edge and being so arranged to receive thereinto a respectivelocking tab. Each of the locking tabs is positioned in and through therespective slots and extends outwardly therethrough and beyond the sidewalls, these tabs are adapted and arranged to be engaged by portions ofa cover closing the body portion thereby locking the cover thereto. I

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features which are believedto be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularityin the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to itsorganization and method of operation, may best be understood byreference to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank for the box body and bottom constructedin accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blank for the box cover constructed in accordWith the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view, portions thereof broken away, showing thebox comprising the blank of FIGS. 1 and 2, fully set up;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the blank of FIG. 1 in apartially set up condition;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the blank of FIG. 2 in apartially set up condition;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG.3;

FIG. 7 is a partial, enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 77of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial, enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a partial, enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 99of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 9 showing thefolding of the top flap of the body of the box; and

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the box top inposition on the body of the box.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to thedrawings in detail, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, there isprovided an integral pre-cut and pre-sco-red blank 10 for erecting andsetting up into the body 12 and bottom 14 portions of a box 16. Blank 10is cut from a substantially rectangular sheet of single walledcorrugated fiberboard with a minimum of waste. The broken lines 18generally indicate crease lines scored on blank 10, while the full lines20 generally indicate cut lines stamped on blank 10. In accordance withthis invention integral blank 10 includes a body portion 12, and abottom portion 14 of a completed box 16, including a locking coverportion 22. Blank 10 further includes a body or top flap portion 24; allportions being more particularly described hereinbelow.

Body portion 12 of the blank 10 includes four Wall panels 26, 28, and32. End wall panel 26 is connected to side wall panel 28 by wall anglefold line 34; side wall panel 28 is connected to end wall panel 30 bywall angle fold line 36; and side wall panel 32 is connected to end wallpanel 30 by wall angle fold line 38. Additionally attached to side wallpanel 32 is flap or panel 40 connected by wall angle fold line 42, whichis adapted to be glued or stapled, such as at 44, to end wall panel 26to form and maintain blank 10 in a collapsed container condition. Endwall panel 26 includes a pair of side edges 46 and 48; side wall panel28 has a pair of side edges 50 and 52; end Wall panel 30 includes a pairof side edges 54 and 56; and side wall panel 32 includes a pair of sideedges 58 and 60; all of the panel side edges 46 through 60 beingsubstantially paralel to wall angle fold lines 34, 36, 38 and 42.

The bottom portion 14 of container blank 10 comprises bottom panels 62,64, 66 and 68. Bottom end panel 62 is connected to the lower edge 70 ofend wall panel 26 by a fold line 72, which fold line 72 is adjacent theupper edge 74 of bottom end panel 62. Attached to the lower edges 76 ofside wall panel 28 and by fold line 78 is bottom side panel 64; the foldline 78 being adjacent the upper edge 80 of bottom side panel 64. Bottomend panel 66 is attached to side end panel 30 adjacent its lower edge 82by fold line 84; which fold line is adjacent the upper edge 86 of bottomend panel 66. Connected to side wall panel 32 adjacent its lower edge 88and by fold line 90 is bottom side panel 68. Fold line '90 is adjacentthe upper edge 92 of this bottom side panel 68. Fold lines 72, 78, 84and 90' are substantially perpendicular to wall angle fold lines 34, 36,38 and 42. Bottom end panel 62 has a pair of side edges 94 and 96 and alower edge 98. Bottom side panel has included therein a lower edge 100and a pair of side edges 102 and 104. A lower edge 106 is included inbottom end panel 66 as well as a pair of side edges 108 and 110. Bottomside panel 68 is provided with a pair of side edges 112 and 114 and alower edge 116.

The upper or flap portion 24 of blank 10 includes four body flaps 118,120, 122 and 124. Body flap or flap first portion 118 is connectedadjacent the upper edge 126 of wall panel 26 by means of a fold line 128closely adjacent the lower edge 130 of flap 118. Flap 120 is connectedto side wall panel 28 by means of fold line 132 adjacent the upper edge134 of panel 28 and closely adjacent the lower edge 136 of flap 120.Attached to the upper edge 138 of the end wall panel 30 is a body flapor flap first portion 122; the connection being made by fold line 140which is positioned closely adjacent the lower edge 142 of end flap 122.Side flap 124 is connected to side wall panel 32 by fold line 144, whichis adjacent the upper edge 146 of panel 32 and adjacent the lower edge148 of flap 124. Side flap 124 includes an upper edge 150 and a pair ofupwardly and inwardly sloping side edges 152, 154. End flap 122 includestwo inwardly and upwardly sloping side edges 156 and 158, and a secondor upper portion, described as a re-entrant portion 160, attached to thefirst flap portion or body flap 122 by means of a fold line 162. Lockingflap or re-entrant portion 160 of body flap first portion 122 hasupwardly and outwardly sloping side edges 164 and 166 and an upper edge168 which includes a pair of locking tabs 170 and 172. Side flap 120 hasan upper edge 174 and two upwardly and inwardly inclined side edges 176and 178. Body flap 118 includes two inwardly and upwardly sloping sideedges 180 and 182, and a locking flap or re-entrant portion 184 attachedtheretoby fold line 186. Re-entrant portion or locking flap 184 of bodyflap first portion 118 has a pair of upwardly and outwardly sloping sideedges 188 and 190 and an upper edge 192 which is provided with a pair oflocking tabs 194 and 196.

End wall panels 26 and 30 are provided with respective elongated handholds 198 and 200 such that the box can be easily grasped, lifted andmoved by hand. Also end wall panel 26 is provided with a pair ofelongated slots or openings 202 and 204 having respective slits 206, 208and 210, 212 extending downwardly from the ends thereof, arranged toreceive respective locking tabs 194 and 196 of flap 118 and re-entrantportion 184 thereof, see FIGS. 8 and 9. Additionally end wall panel 30is provided with similar elongated slots or openings 214 and 216 adaptedto respectively receive locking tabs 170 and 172 of flap 122 andre-entrant portion 160 thereof, see FIG. 3. Slits 224, 218 and 220, 222extend downwardly respectively from the ends of slots 214 and 216. Slits206, 208 and 210, 212 form respective hinge shoulders 207 and 211therebetween within end wall panel 26, which shoulders define the loweredge of respective slits 202 and 204. Shoulders 207 and 211 arepivotable and deformable outwardly of the plane of end wall 26 uponinsertion of locking tabs 194 and 196 into and through respective slots202 and 204; these shoulders resume their normal positions within theplane of the end wall after insertion of the tabs into the slots to aidin retaining the tabs within the slots, see FIGS. 9 and 10. In similarfashion slits 224, 218 and 220, 222 within end wall panel 30 formrespective hinged shoulders 217 and 221 which define the lower edge ofrespective slots 214 and 216. Shoulders 217 and 221 are deformable andpivotable outwardly of the plane of end wall 30 upon insertion oflocking tabs 170 and 172 into and through respective slots 214 and 216,shoulders 217 and 219 resuming their normal positions within the planeof the end wall after insertion of the tabs into the slots to aid inretaining same within the slots.

The corrugations 226 within corrugated fiberboard blank 10 extend in agenerally vertical direction and are generally perpendicular to foldlines 128, 132, 140 and 144 to thereby stiffen the locking tabs 170,172, 194 and 196 and provide bending resistance thereto when they areengaged within their respective slots. Additionally the verticallyextending corrugations 226 stiffen, strengthen and provide bendingresistance to shoulders 207, 211, 217 and 221.

To form blank 19 into a collapsed, open-topped con tainer, blank isfirst folded upwardly along fold line 36 and along fold line 42. Flap 40is then positioned adjacent the inside of wall panel 26 such that foldline 42 and side edge 46 of wall panel 26 are closely parallel. Flap 40is secured to the inside of wall panel 26 by any of a number of suitablemeans, such as by stapling, as at 44, or gluing, and a collapsedcontainer is formed as known in the art. The container normally isfabricated to this collapsed condition and shipped to the location whereit is to be used and/or stored until it is desired to put the containerinto use, at which time the collapsed container is erected into itsusable form.

Turning now to the cover 22 of box 16 (see FIG. 3), the blank for thecover is generally indicated by reference numeral 11 in FIG. 2. Blank 11as in the case of blank 10 previously described is shown in its finishedform, having been cut from a piece of single wall corrugated fiberboardto provide the desired peripheral outline. Blank 11 is also providedwith crease of fold lines 18 and incisions or cut lines 20 which areindicated in the same manner as in the blank of FIG. 1. Moreparticularly, blank 11 includes a center panel 13 of rectangular planand defined by fold lines 15, 17, 19 and 21. The blank further includesa pair of side panels or walls 23 and 25 respectively connected tocenter panel 13 by fold lines 17 and 21. Side panel or wall 23 furtherincludes a pair of end or anchor flaps 27 and 29 respectively attachedto the opposite ends of side wall 23 by means of fold lines 31 and 33.Fold lines 31 and 33 are respectively spaced inwardly from fold lines 15and 19 a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the fiberboardfrom which the blank is fabricated for reasons which will be hereinafterapparent. End or anchor flaps 27 and 29 are respectively provided withnotched or cutout portions at 35 and 37, the purpose of which willhereinafter become apparent. In like manner side panel or wall 25 has apair of end or anchor flaps 39 and 41 attached to its opposite ends bymeans of respective fold lines 43 and 45 which are spaced inwardly ofadjacent fold lines 15 and 19 a distance substantially equal to thethickness ofthe fiberboard from which the blank is cut. Anchor flaps 39and 41 are respectively provided with notched or cut-out portions 47 and49. The length of each anchor flap 27, 29, 39 and 41 is no greater thanone-half the width of center panel 13 for purposes as will be more fullyexplained hereinbelow.

Cover blank 11 further comprises a pair of end walls or panels 51 and 53respectively attached to the opposite ends thereof by means ofrespective fold line 15 and 19. The width of end panels 51 and 53 isapproximately equal to the width of side walls or panels 23 and 25. Theouter or lower edge of end wall 51, 53 is defined by a respective foldline 55, 57 extending parallel to fold lines 15 and 19. Blank 11 isfurther provided with fold lines 59 and 61 extending parallel to foldlines 55 and 57 and spaced therefrom on the sides opposite panel 13 adistance substantially equal to the thickness of the blank. Fold line 59hingedly connects to end wall 51. an inner end wall friction lockingflap or re-entrant locking flap 63, and fold line 61 hingedly connectsto end wall 53 another inner wall friction locking flap or reentrantflap 65, which re-entrant flaps extend parallel to the respectiveassociated walls. Locking flaps 63 and 65 are of a height less than thatof the end walls 51 and 53 by a predetermined amount, for reasons whichwill become hereinafter more apparent, and each locking flap 63, 65 hasintegral therewith a respective locking tab 67 and 69 locatedintermediate the ends of the flap and extending outward or downward fromthe outer free edge of the flap in the same general plane of the Centerpanel 13 of cover blank 11 is provided with a pair 71 and 73 of slots oropenings in alignment with and adapted to be engaged by respective tabs67 and 69 on proper setting up of the cover. Slots 71 and 73 are definedalong one of their longitudinal edges by respective fold lines 15 and 19connecting panel 13 to end walls 51 and 53. Slots 71 and 73 are of awidth at least equal to the thickness of tabs 67 and 69 and of a lengthsubstantially equal to the length of these tabs.

The corrugations 75 within corrugated fiberboard blank 11 extend in agenerally longitudinal direction, generally parallel to the longitudinaldimension or axis of the cover blank, and generally perpendicular tofold lines 15 and 19 to thereby stiffen locking tabs 67 and 69 andprovide bending resistance thereto when they are engaged within theirrespective slots. Additionally the longitudinally extending corrugations75 stifi'en, strengthen and provide bending resistance to the outer freeedges of reentrant or locking flaps 63 and 65.

In setting up the cover, the side walls 23 and 25 are folded upwardly,for example out of the plane of the drawing, and into right anglerelation to panel 13 as shown in particular in FIG. 5, see also FIG. 3.Anchor flaps 27, 29, 39 and 41 are then folded inwardly of panel 13 soas to extend generally along fold lines 15 and 19; remembering that theanchor flaps are each of a length not greater than one-half the lengthof end wall 51 and 53 sothat the ends of the anchor flaps will notoverlap. The blank is then folded along lines 15 and 19 so that the endwalls 51 and 53 are juxtaposed with the anchor flaps 27, 29, 39 and 41as can be seen in FIG. 5. Blank 11 is then further folded along foldlines 55, 57, 59 and 61 so that each of the locking flaps is juxtaposedwith the anchor fiaps on the side opposite thereof to end walls 51 and53 of the cover, and the locking tabs 67 and 69 are inserted into theirrespective slots 71 and 73, all as shown in FIG. 5. Tabs 67 and 69extend through and should fit snuggly into slots 71 and 73 respectively,either at the end of the tabs or at the faces of the tabs or acombination thereof to provide a friction lock, as seen in FIG. 7. Withthe elements of the cover assembled as described, anchor flaps 27, 29,39'

and 41 are nested and frictionally held or clamped between end walls 51,53 and locking flaps 63, 65 to retain the cover in its assembled forms,see FIGS. 3 and 6.

To set up or erect the collapsed container into a usable container theblank 10, which has previously been folded inward along fold lines 36and 42 to form a collapsed container, is now squared up by directingforces inwardly adjacent fold lines 36 and 42 such that the containerhas the side and wall panels to form a container having a rectangularcross-section. The next step is to secure the bottom by folding inwardlyof the box perimeter along fold lines 72 and 84 the bottom end panels 62and 66 to a position generally within the plane defined by fold lines72, 78, 84 and 90, and as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. Next the bottomside panels 64 and 68 are folded inwardly of the box perimeter alongfold lines 78 and to underlie previously folded bottom end panels 62 and66, see FIG. 3. The box bottom is then secured by stapling, gluing oremploying other like fastening means. The box may now be packed withfruits, vegetables or other like articles desired to be packagedtherein. When the packing of the container is completed the panels orflaps of upper or top flap portion 24 are folded inwardly of the boxperimeter to overlie the fruit, vegetable or other like contents in thebox. Side flaps and 124 are folded inwardly of the box perimeter alongtheir respective fold lines 132 and 144, as depicted in FIG. 4, see alsoFIG. 3. The re-entrant portions and 184 of respective body flap firstportions 122 and 118 are folded downwardly and inwardly of flap portions122 and 118 along respective fold lines 162 and 186 such that theseportions 160, 184 are juxtaposed to the flap portions 122, 118 as shownin FIG. 10.

Now end flap portions 118 and 122 are folded inward of the box perimeteralong their respective fold lines 128 and 140 whereby tabs 170, 172 and194, 196 enter their respectivt slots or openings 214, 216 and 202, 204as more clearly seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. In this manner re-entrantportions 160, 184 underlie flap portions 122, 118 with locking tabs 170,172, 194, 196 inserted into respective slots 214, 216 and 202, 204 asseen in FIGS. 3 and 9. The locking tabs extend into and should fi:snugly in their respective slots at the faces of the tabs to provide afriction lock therewith. In folding end flap portions 118 and 122downward and inward of the box perimeter with re-entrant portions 184,160 respectively folded thereunder, as particularly depicted in FIG. 10,these portions or shoulders 207, 211, 217 and 221 of end wall panels 26and 30 between slits 206, 208 and 210, 212, and 216, 218 and 220, 222move outwardly of the plane of their respective end wall panels topermit tabs 170, 172, 194 and 196 to readily enter respective slots 214,216, 202, 204. Shoulders 207, 211, 217 and 221 resume their normalpositions within the plane of end walls 26 and 30 after insertion of thetabs into the slots to aid in retaining the tabs within the slits.

In assemblying the cover 22 on the box body 12 and bottom 14, flaps 118through 124 are folded to incline inwardly of the box such that tabs170, 172, 194, 196 are inclined outwardly of the box, see FIGS. 3 and 9.The cover is placed over the top of the body and pressed downwardly withthe main panel 13 contacting flaps 118 through 124 and urging theseflaps to swing toward horizontal positions until the cover panel restson the top surface of the flaps as shown in FIG. 11. Tabs 194 and 196are urged farther and farther out as the cover is applied and arefinally received between the longitudinal free edge of locking flap 63of the cover and then main cover panel 13 and within openings 35 and 47,see FIG. 11. In like manner tabs 170' and 172 are urged fartheroutwardly as the cover is applied and are finally received betweenlongitudinal free edge of locking flap 65 of the cover and main coverpanel 13 and within openings 37 and 49.

As can be seen from FIG. 11, there will be interference between the bodytabs and the lower edge of depending end wall of the cover as the coveris placed on the body. However, the body flaps carrying these tabs arefree to be inclined upwardly and they and their attached tabs and theconnection therebetween is sufiiciently flexible that the tabs may moreor less be snapped into the position shown in FIG. 11. The body andcover blanks are so dimensioned that when the body and cover areassembled, the inner surfaces of the depending side and end wallportions of the cover are in closely spaced relationship or engaged withthe outer surface of the box body. Also, as will be seen in FIG. 11 thefree longitudinal edge of each of the locking flaps of the cover islocated at least closely adjacent to, if not engaged with, the undersideof the body tab. In this manner the cover is in effect clamped or lockedto the box body.

When the cover is placed on the body it will be observed as in FIG. 11that the top surface of flaps 118 through 124 are in underlyingengagement with the undersurface of the cover center panel 13 and thatthe width and stiffness of body tabs 170, 172, 194 and 196 aresufficient that upward force on the underside of the tab will not permitfree pivoting of the flaps or tabs such as to permit the tabs to bedisengaged from the cover. Also when the box is filled the contentsthereof will ordinarily either be engaged by or closely adjacent theunderside of locking flaps 160 and 184 so that any downward pivoting ofend flaps 118 and 122 is substantially prevented. Accordingly anyattempt to remove the cover by lifting will be resisted and the only waythat the cover can be lifted off is by the application of sufiicientforce 7 such that body tabs will be torn or materially deformed so as tobe thereafter much less effective. Thus it will be readily apparent whenthere has been unauthorized opening of the box. Furthermore, since thelocking means are invisible externally and are not operable to permitfree opening, there is no invitation to open the box. One must force hisway in.

While only a certain preferred embodiment of this invention has beenshown and described by way of illustration, many modifications willoccur to those skilled in the art and it is, therefore, desired that itbe understood that it is intended in the appended claims to cover allsuch modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of thisinvention.

What is claimed as new and what it is desired to secure by LettersPatent of the United States is:

1. In a box body portion having a bottom and upstanding generallyopposed side walls the improvement comprising a pair of integral bodyflaps having first portions respectively attached to said opposed sidewalls by fold lines adjacent the upper edges thereof, said pair of bodyflaps lying in a generally horizontal plane and extending inwardly ofthe box perimeter, each said body flap having a re-entrant portionfolded on a score line spaced from and generally parallel to said wallupper edges, said re-entrant portions respectively underlying said firstportions of said body flaps and extending outwardly from said scorelines to a position adjacent the inner surfaces of said respective pairof side walls, each said side Wall having a slot positioned closelyadjacent said upper edge of said side wall, each said re-entrant portionincluding a locking tab, each said locking tab being positioned in saidrespective slots in said side walls and extending outwardly beyond saidside Wall, said tabs being adapted and arranged to be engaged byportions of a cover closing the box body portion thereby locking thecover thereto.

2. In the box body portion as defined in claim 1 further comprising acover portion, said cover portion including means for locking said coverportion to said body portion and including a pair of oppositely disposedportions terminating upwardly in respective locking edges within saidcover portion, said tabs of said body portion being adapted to beengaged by said oppositely disposed upwardly extending locking edges ofsaid cover portion.

3. In the box body portion as defined in claim 1 wherein each said sidewall has a shoulder defining the lower edge of said slot, said shoulderbeing pivotable outwardly of the plane of said side wall upon insertionof said locking ta=b into and through said slot, said shouldersubstantially resuming its position generally within the plane of saidside wall after temporary outward deformation thereof by insertion ofsaid tab into said slot.

4. In the box body portion as defined in claim 1 wherein each said sidewall contains a pair of spaced slits, each said pair of slits extendinggenerally upwardly and intersecting respective said slot, each said pairof slits defining a hinged shoulder therebetween, each said shoulderdefining the lower edge of respective said slot and being pivotableoutwardly of the plane of respective said side wall to permit insertionof said locking tab into and through said slot and retention thereofwithin said slot.

5. In the box body portion as defined in claim 1 wherein each said sidewall further includes another slot spaced from said slot and positionedclosely adjacent said upper edge of respective said side wall, each saidre-entrant portion includes another locking tab spaced from said lockingtab, each said other locking tab being positioned respectively in eachsaid other slot in respective said sidewall and extending outwardlybeyond said side wall.

6. In the box body portion as defined in claim 5 further comprising acover portion, said cover portion including means for locking said coverportion to said body portion and including a pair of oppositely disposedportions terminating upwardly in respective locking edges within saidcover portion, said locking tabs of said body portion being adapted tobe engaged by said oppositely disposed upwardly extending locking edgesof said, cover portion.

7. In the box body portion as defined in claim wherein each said sidewall contains a pair of spaced slits intersecting each said slot, eachpair of said slits extending generally downwardly from said slot, eachsaid pair of slits defining a hinged shoulder therebetween, each saidshoulder defining the lower edge of respective said slot and beingpivotable outwardly of the plane of respective said side wall to permitinsertion of said locking tab into and through said slot and retentionthereof within said slot.

8. In the box body portion as defined in claim 1 wherein said box bodyportion is fabricated from corrugated fiberboard, said corrugations ofsaid fiberboard extending generally perpendicular to said upper edges ofsaid side walls to provide the corrugations in said tabs in a directionperpendicular to said side walls thereby stiffening said locking tabsand providing bending resistance thereto when engaged within said slot.

'9. In the box body portion as defined in claim 8 wherein said slot isterminated at its respective opposite ends by a pair of spaced slits,said slits extending generally downwardly from said slot ends and beinggenerally perpendicular to said upper edges of said side walls, saidslits defining a hinged shoulder therebetween, said shoulder definingthe lower edge of said slot and being pivotable outwardly of the planeof said side wall upon insertion of said locking tab into said slot,said corrugations stifling said shoulder and providing bendingresistance thereto.

10. In the box body portion as defined in claim 1 wherein said slot isgenerally elongated and has its longitudinal axis extending in agenerally horizontal direction, said locking tab being generallylaterally extending to fit within said elongated slot and tosubstantially fill the longitudinal dimension of said slot.

11. In the box body portion as defined in claim 10 wherein saidelongated slot is of a small vertical dimension, the lower edge of saidbody flap defining the upper edge of said slot, said side wall beingprovided with a generally horizontal shoulder, said shoulder beingclosely adjacent to and spaced from and generally parallel to said loweredge of said body flap, said shoulder defining the lower edge of saidelongated slot.

12. In the box body portion as defined in claim 11 wherein each saidside wall contains a pair of spaced slits, each said pair of slitsextending generally upwardly and intersecting respective said slot, eachsaid pair of slits defining the outer ends of respective said elongatedslot and defining said hinged shoulder therebetween, each said shoulderbeing pivotable outwardly of the plane of respective said side wall topermit insertion of said locking tab into and through said slot andretention thereof within said slot.

13. In a blank for folding into a box body having a plurality of sidewalls, the improvement comprising a pair of flaps having first portionsrespectively attached to the upper edges of a pair of alternate sidewalls by fold lines, each said flap having a re-entrant portionconnected to said first portion by a score line generally parallel tosaid upper edge of said alternate side wall, each said alternate sidewall having a slot positioned .closely adjacent said upper edge thereof,each said re-entrant portion including an integral locking tab connectedto its free edge oppositely disposed and spaced from said score line,each said flap first portion and re-entrant portion being foldable withsaid re-entrant portion lying beneath said first portion and with eachsaid locking tab positioned in and through each said slot in saidalternate side wall and outwardly thereof.

14. In the blank as defined in claim 13 wherein each said alternate sidewall has a shoulder defining the lower edge of said slot, said shoulderbeing pivotable outwardly of the plane of said side wall upon insertionof said locking tab into and through said slot, said shouldersubstantially resuming its position generally within the plane of saidside wall after temporary outward deformation thereof by insertion ofsaid tab into said slot.

15. In the blank as defined in claim 13 wherein each said alternate sidewall contains a pair of spaced slits, each said pair of slits extendinggenerally upwardly and intersecting respective said slot, each said pairof slits defining a hinged shoulder therebetween, each said shoulderdefining the lower edge of respective said slot and being pivotableoutwardly of the plane of respective said side wall to permit insertionof said locking tab into and through said slot and retention thereofwithin said slot.

16. In the blank as defined in claim 13 wherein said blank is fabricatedfrom corrugated fiberboard, said corrugations of said fiberboardextending generally perpendicular to said upper edges of said side wallsto provide the corrugations in said tabs in a direction perpendicular tosaid side walls thereby stiffening said locking tabs and providingbending resistance thereto when engaged within said slot.

17. In the blank as defined in claim 16 wherein said slot is terminatedat its respective opposite ends by a pair of spaced slits, said slitsextending generally downwardly from said slot ends and being generallyperpendicular to said upper edges of said side walls, said slitsdefining a hinged shoulder therebetween, said shoulder defining thelower edge of said slot and being pivotable outwardly of the plane ofsaid side wall upon insertion of said locking tab into said slot, saidcorrugations stiffening said shoulder and providing bending resistancethereto.

18. In a box body portion having a bottom and generally opposed andupstanding outer side walls, the improvement comprising a pair of bodyflaps respectively attached to a pair of opposed side walls by foldlines adjacent the upper edges thereof, said pair of body flaps lying ina generally horizontal plane and extending inwardly of the boxperimeter, each said body flap including a locking tab, a pair of outerside walls each having a slot positioned closely adjacent its upper edgeand being adapted to receive thereinto a respective said locking tab,each said locking tab being positioned in and through a respective saidslot and extending outwardly beyond said side wall, said tabs beingadapted and arranged to be engaged by portion of a cover closing the boxbody portion thereby locking the cover thereto.

19. In the box body portion as defined in claim 18 wherein each of saidpair of outer side walls contains a pair of spaced slits, each said pairof slits extending generally upwardly and intersecting respective saidslot, each said pair of slitsdefining a hinged shoulder therebetween,each said shoulder defining the lower edge of respective said slot andbeing pivotable outwardly of the plane of respective said outer sidewall to permit insertion of said locking tab into and through said slotand retention thereof within said slot.

20. In the box body portion as defined in claim 18 wherein each of saidpair of body flaps includes a first portion respectively attached to oneof said pair of opposed side walls by a fold line adjacent the upperedge thereof, said body flap first portions lying in a generallyhorizontal plane and extending inwardly of the box perimeter, each ofsaid pair of body flaps including a reentrant portion folded on a scoreline spaced from and generally parallel to said wall upper edge, saidre-entrant portions respectively underlying said first portions of saidbody flaps and extending outwardly from said score lines to a positionadjacent the inner surfaces of respective said pair of side walls, eachsaid locking tab being an extension of said re-entrant portion.

(References on following page) 12 References Cited 3,195,798 7/1965Wilson 229-45 XR 3,202,337 8/ 1965 Cramer et a1. 22945 XR UNITED STATESPATENTS Bliss 229-45 DAVIS T. MOORHEAD, Primary Examiner Ethridge 22945r Dunning 22945 US. Cl. X.R.

DEsposito et a1 229--45 229-37 Patent No.

Inventor(s) Column 1, line 66,

portions Column 3, line 54, -parallel Column 4, line 31, thereto byColumn 5, line 23, Column 6, line 51, Column 6, line 51,

Column 6, line 65,

EAL Atteau mmillnetchor, I},

aiting Offioer Roy K.

90 degree wall angles between ad UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATEOF CORRECTION Dated May 19, 1970 Wilson It is certified that errorappears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent arehereby corrected as shown below:

the word "portion" should read the word "paralel" should be the word"theretoby" should read the word "of" should read or after "and" insertend after "panels" insert upstanding with jacent wall panels the word"of" should read or mm I. W, JR- Oomisslaner of Patents FORM PO-1OSU(10-69] USCOMM-DC 60376-PO9 Q U S GOVEHNMINY PRINYING OFFICE IQ!U'3i5-]ll

